Mama-tude

I'm Jen and I'm a mum of seven. Life is hectic, crazy and certainly never dull. In between the mayhem and taking advantage of sleep deprivation, I'm also a freelance writer, sometimes media contributor and do-er of stuff around the house. My first parenting book "The Real Mum's Guide to Surviving Parenthood" is coming out later this year. You can like and follow me on Facebook too at https://m.facebook.com/mamatude7.ie/, Twitter at mama_tude or email me at mamatude7@gmail.com

Tuesday, 8 August 2017

Woohoo, sharing the full book sleeve to reveal the blurb on the back which will give you an idea of what The Real Mum's Guide to (Surviving) Parenthood is all about! The headshot incidentally was taken by the genius that is Sabrina Dunny. Not only did she ensure this total photo-phobe felt comfortable - she also managed to banish the look of 16 years' sleep deprivation!

The book is now available to pre-order on the Orpen Press website and they've very kindly given me a 20% discount code for followers of Mama-tude. So if you fancy getting in early, the code is "Mama-tude" and the link is here

Sunday, 30 July 2017

2017 has been one of the craziest, busiest years of my life. In a rare turn of events, I am neither pregnant nor mum to a brand new baby, but I have been working on a different project - a literary type of "eighth baby."

What started as an exciting new venture, back in February has finally come to fruition. I thought nothing could top the excitement of the offer of a publishing deal - I was wrong. The arrival of my book cover, with the book's title, and MY NAME on it, has knocked that original excitement out of the park.In fact I still can't look at it without hopping from one leg to the other like an excited child!

So without further ado (and because I'm too excited to write much more!) - here it is:

"The Real Mum's Guide to (Surviving) Parenthood", will be published by Orpen Press on the 5th September.

And the cover....

So there you have it. No doubt the hopping will continue between now and September 5th although I've been assured that this is nothing - and to wait until I'm holding a physical copy of it. (I may actually burst with excitement at that stage!!!)

Tuesday, 25 July 2017

We went to hell today, otherwise known as a shopping
expedition with all of the children in tow. The sun shone much brighter than it
had promised to do resulting in hot cranky kids and even hotter crankier
parents. The adults traipsed from shop
to shop, without any semblance of enthusiasm, whilst the children resisted and
complained, and complained and resisted every step of the way.

It’s not that we’re martyrs to the cause, or complete
gluttons for punishment either – but taking all of the kids was a necessity as
there were feet to be measured and school shoes and runners to be bought. With
the summer holidays half over, it’s time to consider the return to school.

It’s a hugely expensive and pressurised time for parents.
With five in school here, including two in secondary and a sixth in Montessori,
the costs are scary and the need to make serious savings is real. So with that
in mind, I thought I’d share a few tips for cutting the costs involved with very
expensive, free education.

1.Book Swap

This is a great and easy thing to do
amongst two or, even better, a group of parents who have children of different
ages. Get out the booklist, set up a Whatsapp group and send out the searching
texts. In a time of every changing editions and book requirements, hoarding books
for younger children coming up the line is not necessarily the best course of action
as frequently the required books change. Some years you’ll manage to do better
than others in a book swap but even one book acquired this way is a saving to
your pocket

2.Sell ‘em

No not the kids, the books. Many
educational book stores buy your old school books if they’re in good condition
and either pay you or offer store credit, which leads nicely on to tip 3 …..

3.Second-hand books

It’s always worth checking a second hand
book store for the school books you need and the earlier in the summer that you
do this, the more chance there is of you managing to get several. Just be very
mindful of editions and always double check that you have the correct one.

4.Watch out for special offers.

Around this time of year, may outlets such
as Easons and schoolbooks.ie offer online discounts towards the cost of new
school books or the option of free delivery or free book covering. Heatons are
another place worth checking for back to school stationery as they often run a
3 for 2 offer, providing the potential for great savings if your numbers are
up!

5.Discount outlets.

School shoes and runners are a very
expensive part of back to school. If there’s a discount outlet near you (such
as the Kildare Outlet) it’s worth considering a trip. There’s significant
savings to be made on shoes in Clark’s, which for me is a lot more than the
cost of the petrol involved! The many sports shops on site meanwhile can see
you make savings on runners and possibly even school bags.

6.Schoolbags

And speaking of schoolbags. Before purchasing
new ones, double check if a quick wash in the machine with lots of fabric
softener is enough to make the bag look good as new and obliterate the pungent
yoghurt smell from last year! If you are buying a new one however, – shop around
and don’t forget to check stores online to compare value. Sports Direct can
offer great value too, but always double check the measurements. Pictures can
be deceiving

7.Crested uniforms

When it comes to uniforms, crested pieces
are usually the most expensive parts. Don’t be embarrassed to ask around. If you
have friends who cannot pass their child’s outgrown school uniform to a younger
sibling, ask them to pass it along to you instead. Sometimes people are afraid
to offer for fear of causing offence. Personally, I’m eternally grateful for
the amount of outgrown crested uniform pieces that are passed to this house.
And remember to share the love. There’s always someone who will happily receive
you own children’s uniform hand me downs.

8.School sales

Check on the school website just in case a
uniform or book sale due to be held ahead of the return to school.

9.Veer from the obvious

Don’t assume that certain things can only
be bought in a certain type of shop and keep your eyes peeled - always. Book
Station for example, usually renowned for selling good value books, also sell
lunch boxes and good beakers for very good prices. The “smash” beakers have
stood the very testing, test of time, here.

10.Buy in bulk

Sounds obvious but list your copy needs and
stationery needs and buy together. If you’re trying to spread the cost over a
few weeks, spread by purchase type rather than by child. Copies bought in 10
packs work out cheaper and getting all stationery together lets you make the
best of special offers and avail of 3 for 2’s.

Friday, 7 July 2017

The first week of the school hols is over and high-fives all
around, we survived it – relatively unscathed, well kinda. And we’ve learned a
few lessons that I thought I’d share. The sort of things that it’s handy to
know as we navigate our way through the remaining, approximately thirty five
weeks, or thereabouts, of the school holidays.

1.Never leave the house without babywipes. It’s just asking for trouble and without
them, your child’s first port of call with their snotty nose, carrot stick
orange-coloured mouth and chocolatey hands will be your cream jeans – if you’re daft
enough to wear them on an outing with the children.

2.Never wear your cream jeans on an outing with
the children

3.“Live food” for reptiles in the pet shop is
actually live. This will bring about two types of reaction in your children.
Those who think it’s really cool will want to touch it. Those of a more
sensitive disposition will continue their emotional meltdown well after you’ve
arrived home. Steer clear of the live food for reptiles section in your pet
shop

4.Always ask your four year old what’s in his
pocket before checking for yourself. Sometimes it’s a spider.

5.Small children cannot be distracted from asking
relatives about their boobs. It’s best just to answer.

6.If you are trying to gauge the weather and the
likelihood of rain – hang out a load of washing. Expect imminent downpour

7.You will never have enough food in the house and
they will always be hungry- always.

8.Small children don’t do "appropriate" very well.
If they know they correct name for genitals they are quite likely to shout it
very, VERY loudly and only mildly mispronounced, in the park with maximum
audience attention. For example “Mammy I can see your dagina through my
binoculars”

9.The row over who pushes the lift button can
potentially see your 4 year old escape in a lift alone if you don’t wedge
yourself between the door very quickly. Your four year old will not be as
traumatised as you.

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Mama-tude

Hi Everyone. I'm so excited to introduce my new blog . As a mum of seven life is hectic, crazy and certainly never dull. My house isn't always pristine and the beds aren't always made by lunchtime but it's a house filled with love, laughter, tears and the odd tantrum wink emoticon . I wouldn't change a thing! Looking forward to sharing the journey and chatting with you all. Surviving and enjoying parenthood with a little mama-tude! You can like and follow me on Facebook too at https://m.facebook.com/mamatude7.ie/